Jerry Clifford

Minneapolis Foreclosures can be “Incredible Deals”

Investing in a foreclosed Minneapolis home can mean that you can be sitting on an equity farm when the market turns around.  The dropping prices of the Minneapolis market mean big deals on foreclosed homes in the Minneapolis area. An auction on M... Read >

The First Time Home Buyer Credit

Imagine getting a loan that is 100% interest free for your first home. The federal government has done some revamping of the First Time Home Buyer tax credit, which is exciting news for first-time home buyers. With it, you could save up to $7,500 on you... Read >

Drywall Manufactured in China is Not Dry; Neither is it Safe

Respiratory issues, other health problems and frequent appliance failures are only a few of the problems claimed to be caused by "Chinese Drywall". Drywall is a flat board made from gypsum plaster. It is used to create interior walls for its economica... Read >

Backyard Pizzeria

With the addition of a wood fired oven, there's no need to order out; you can have your own backyard pizzeria. Along with backyard kitchens, wood fired ovens have grown in popularity, becoming the latest "must have" item with people who love good food ... Read >

How to Increase Traffic at Your Next Open House

Open houses have a bad reputation in the minds of many real estate agents. Often they're under-attended and rarely lead to a sale. In fact, many agents see open houses simply as a good opportunity to attract new clients rather than being a viable market... Read >

How Realtors Can Benefit from a Stagnant Housing Market

During a housing boom like the one we saw just a couple of years ago, realtors are endlessly busy, running to and from meetings with clients, hosting open houses, and working on their marketing campaigns to attract new clients. Often family and friend... Read >

Be the Mortgage Lender Through Virgin Money

One way that you may be able to sell your home is by offering the financing yourself. This is not as risky as it sounds, thanks to a new web site that has opened up called 'Virgin Money USA'. Virgin has streamlined a way for ordinary people to arrange lo... Read >

Turn Your Yard Into a Winter Wonderland

You've tended your gardens all summer long and enjoyed the bright colors and fragrant blooms that resulted from your work. Now that winter is coming, don't stop there; you can continue to have a stunning landscape throughout the cooler months. Here are ... Read >

How Well Do You Know Your House Styles?

If you were in the market for a new home, would you know what style of home appeals to you? Perhaps a bungalow, a ranch or a grand Victorian or maybe a Georgian? Having a basic knowledge of architectural styles can really help to narrow down your choices ... Read >

Does Your Granite Countertop Glow?

Safety concerns regarding granite countertops and their level of radon gas emitted has sparked a controversy since the 90's. However, the widespread use of granite in kitchen and bathrooms has sparked renewed interest in this old issue. The New York Tim... Read >

Controlling Condo Cash Crashes

Imagine that you are living in a desirable city in a desirable condo and that all the residents have just been presented with a projected repair bill from their Home Owner Association (HOA) for $80,000 - per condo unit. It can (and has!) happened. ... Read >

For Kitchen Counters - Granite Rocks...!

Most lumps of granite feel much more at home pointing upwards into the sky than flattened under a rolling pin in your kitchen! For this reason, granite counter tops need some understanding and care as they are made from a natural product, which is bei... Read >

10 Ideas for Saving Up a Down Payment Through Alternative Income

For many people, it is hard to come up with even 5% down to qualify for a better mortgage. One great way is to make a little money on the side and apply it to a high-yield savings account. Here are 10 ideas for generating more income: 1. Get a second ... Read >

Home Purchasing, Your Credit, and Unpaid Bills, oh my!

Many people find themselves in the situation where they have a good job, maybe even a decent down payment, but their credit is, shall we say, less than stellar. The problem with getting a decent rate on a mortgage is that your credit rating is going to d... Read >

Don't Be Home When Your House Is Shown

Again and again, I hear stories from fellow real estate agents that affirm what I also see as true: it is not a good idea for the seller to be present when their home is being viewed by buyers. While it may be inconvenient for the seller to stay away, it ... Read >